She/Her

President

Denise began her advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community in the late 90s while growing up in South Texas. This passion has been woven into the fabric of her adult life. Her professional focus is DEI, and she’s the Pride ERG Co-Chair and Taylor Pride President. Denise is pansexual and the matriarch of an LGBTQ+ family which includes a pansexual daughter, a non-binary child and a super ally son. In May 2020, Denise started a Taylor LGBTQ+ Facebook group so local community members and allies could find and support one another. The response was overwhelming, and Taylor Pride was born.

She/Her

Vice President

Born and raised in Central Texas, Trisha moved to Taylor from Austin in 2017 with her husband. As a fierce believer in equal rights and lifelong ally for the LGBTQ community, she immediately began dreaming of hosting a local Pride event here to help celebrate and support Taylor’s local, thriving LGBTQ community. She has been part of Taylor Pride since its first Virtual Pride Event in 2020 and is excited to help expand an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community in Taylor for all people. Trisha works as a licensed esthetician and small business owner with her new spa in Austin- Bene Skin & Laser. She’s been an entrepreneur since 2014 and brings her ability to wear many hats and create a path forward to Taylor Pride. She spends her free time with her fur and feather babies (all 13 of them!) and hyping up Taylor to anyone that will listen.

He/Him

Secretary

Born in Oklahoma and raised in west Texas, Ben and his husband moved to Taylor from Austin in 2005 to put down roots and to be closer to family. Over the past 17 years (and especially within the past 4-5 years) Ben has seen Taylor change and grow into a much more accepting and welcoming place, now with an active and growing LGBTQ+ community. After supporting Taylor Pride as a sponsor and volunteer, Ben is excited to step up and take on a more active role in the organization. Together with his husband, Ben opened Trouvaille Antiques in downtown Taylor 6 years ago, where most days you will find him and his rescue dog, Charlie, holding down the fort!!

He/Him

Treasurer

Originally from McAllen, TX, his family moved frequently across the south, until settling in Round Rock where Patrick graduated from Round Rock High. Patrick enlisted into the Army before and served during the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a corporate manager for a manufacturing company specializing in the gift and houseware industry. “Although I’ve been active in the gay/queer community since the early ‘90’s, the past two years working with Taylor Pride has been the most enjoyable experience. The community support has never been more encouraging or uplifting.”